Rejuvenated Hawks Visit Erratic Raptors
The Atlanta Hawks (9-5 SU, 6-8 ATS, 7-6-1 O/U) have won two of their last three games in the BetUS Sportsbook following their recent four-game losing streak. The Toronto Raptors (7-7 SU, 6-8 ATS, 9-5 O/U) beat the Charlotte Bobcats 93-86 on Wednesday, but have dropped two of three overall.
Tonight, both ballclubs will be looking to pick up a victory when they square off at Air Canada Centre.
The Hawks beat the Milwaukee Bucks 102-96 on Wednesday, but have failed to cover the spread for BetUS NBA sports betting backers in a whopping seven straight games!
Second-year center Al Horford scored a team-high 21 points while Mike Bibby and Marvin Williams each added 18 points. Horford also contributed nine rebounds and three blocked shots in the win.
The Raptors beat the struggling Bobcats behind forward Chris Bosh’s 39 points and 11 rebounds. The 6-foot-10 left-hander has taken his game to a new level this season and is averaging a career-high 27.6 points and 10.5 rebounds while shooting a career-best 55.6 percent from the field and 82.6 percent from the free throw line.
“He controlled the game offensively and defensively,” Bobcats forward Jared Dudley said. “You see why he’s one of the best power forwards in the game. It’s really hard to guard him. He gets to the free-throw line, his jump shot is much improved.”
“I’m just figuring a couple of things out,” Bosh said. “I’m trying to have a little bit of confidence in myself, of course, and every night I’m trying to bring it to the table.”
Here is a look at tonight’s key trends, followed by my in-depth analysis and NBA Free Pick.
TORONTO is 4-4 against the spread versus ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons
TORONTO is 4-4 straight up against ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons
6 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
NBA Odds
Atlanta Hawks +5 -110
Toronto Raptors -5 -110
Over 198½ -110
Under 198½ -110
Analysis: While the Raptors have been a tough team to figure out in the early going, the Atlanta Hawks seem to know exactly what it will take to win a round or two in the playoffs after their eye-opening appearance against the Boston Celtics in last year’s postseason.
While I like the Raptors to win this contest at home tonight, I really like the Hawks to cover the spread with another fine defensive effort.
